All Chapters of Arrange Marriage to a Heartless CEO: Chapter 41 - Chapter 50

CHARLOTTE’S POVMy stomach lurched. But my feet kept moving.The echoes of my own footsteps felt louder than my heartbeat as I followed the hooded man deeper into the warehouse.I was scared, but at the same time, I didn't want to show it. We walked for a few seconds then I finally found my voice.“Stop walking.”He didn’t stop. “Keep up, Lottie.”His voice sounded too off. It was familiar, but I couldn't place my finger on it.“Don’t call me that!” My voice cracked. “Who are you? How do you know that name?”He chuckled softly but still didn’t look back.“Names don’t matter tonight, Lottie, answers do.”I quickened my pace until I was almost at his shoulder. “I didn’t sneak out of my house, lie to my staff, and risk my life for riddles. Say what you have to say. Why have you been threatening my husband and me?”We reached a corner where moonlight leaked through a cracked window. He turned and finally faced me. The hood still hid most of his face. I could only see the edge of his beard.

CHARLOTTE’S POVI took a cup of tea and sat down on the grey armchair in my room. My phone buzzed, and I sighed before picking it up.“Dylan?” I asked, trying to keep my voice casual.“Charlotte!” His voice was unmistakably warm, teasing, full of that old charm I remembered from high school. “Finally answering my calls. I thought you’d completely ghosted me.”“I’ve been… busy,” I said, glancing out the window.“Uh-huh,” he teased, “sure. Busy with… world domination? Or just charming billionaires?”I chuckled softly. “Maybe a bit of both. How have you been?”“Good,” he said, a hint of pride in his tone. “You know, same old, work, life, trying to remember which of my exes didn’t completely hate me.”I laughed, remembering his usual sarcasm and humor. “I don’t think anyone hated you. Well… maybe a little.”We laughed for a few seconds before he spoke up again.“Are you still writing?”“Yes, I'm still writing,” I admitted, feeling a flicker of comfort in his familiar presence.“And you? S

CHARLOTTE'S POVI drove into the estate. The streetlamps were flickering on, throwing thin gold across the pavement. My hands were still trembling from the showdown with Barry, but somewhere underneath the exhaustion was a strange, bubbling sense of freedom.My phone was warm in my palm. Aiden’s name flashed through my mind. I wanted so badly to call him to tell him about the publishing offer, to share one thing that was mine, not arranged, not bought. But a part of me hesitated. Would he even pick up? Would he sound cold like he did last time? What would he think?I slid the phone back into my bag with a shaky breath. “Not tonight.” I got out of the car and entered the house.Inside, the familiar scent of lemon cleaner and soft perfume wrapped around me. Elsie looked up from the hallway with a surprised smile.“Madam, you’re home,” she said. “You look…different.”“I do?” I set my bag on the console and pushed my hair back. “Maybe because I am.”Her brow creased. “Is everything okay?

CHARLOTTE’S POVI hunched over my laptop in the little study, fingers flying across the keys. “This chapter will be perfect,” I murmured to myself. “For once, something is perfect.” The glow of the screen blurred a little. I didn’t even look at my phone on the desk; it buzzed and stopped, buzzed again.Elsie’s voice came faint and frantic in the corridor. “Ma’am…”I wasn't certain if I heard someone call me, so I ignored it and continued typing.The door slammed open. “Charlotte!”I startled, half-standing. “Elsie? What…”Her eyes were red and wet. “Why aren’t you answering your phone?”“I…” I grabbed the phone. Twelve missed calls from Aiden and a different number from London too. My stomach dropped. “What’s wrong?”She pressed a trembling hand to her mouth. “It’s about Sir…” she started crying.“Yes, what is it, Elsie? I asked already getting scared.“A hospital in London… they called from his phone.. He’s been in an accident. They said…”My breath caught. I was as if my breath w

CHARLOTTE’S POVThe room light was dim except for the green glow of the monitor. I have been sitting in the same chair for hours, my head leaning against the bed rail. Aiden’s fingers lie limp beneath mine, cool, unresponsive.“Wake up,” I whispered. “You always hated hospitals. You told me once the smell made you nauseous. So wake up and get out of here.”The monitor answered with a steady beep.Looking at him lying on the bed helplessly scared me. The always vibrant, rude, and arrogant boss and husband that I know.The door opens quietly. Marcus slips in, closing it behind him.“You haven’t slept,” he says softly.“Neither have you,” I replied without looking at him. “Any news?”He hesitated at first, but then came closer.“Security’s doubled on this floor. William’s in contact with the London police. Interpol’s been notified.”I sat up straighter. “Interpol? Is it that serious?”?“It is.” His eyes flick to Aiden. Everyone's on high alert until we know who sabotaged that cat.”I clu